School Board

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Board of Education approved a proposal Monday to keep elementary and high school class sizes from getting any bigger next year. The school board’s action also means about 19 teachers won’t be getting pink slips next week after all.

he Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Board of Education approved a three-year contract for Karen Gaborik Tuesday. Gaborik had been heading up the district administration for about a year now, and her tenure so far has been filled with challenges.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and the local Council of PTAs will host three meetings over the next week, beginning Saturday, to inform the public about the district’s budget problems. District officials also hope to get feedback from the public about their proposals to cut jobs and programs.

In the two contested races for Fairbanks North Star Borough School District board, newcomer Michael O’Brien convincingly upset incumbent John Howard Thies by 18 percentage points. And incumbent Wendy Dominique handily won re-election to her seat over challenger Denis Gardella.

Fairbanks, AK - The Fairbanks North Star Borough assembly passed a truancy ordinance last night. The ordinance lines out local policy addressing chronic unexcused absence from school including fines for repeated offenses. The approved ordinance is less strict and cumbersome than one in state law. It reflects a request from the school board for a policy more aimed at getting students back in class, but many parents who testified at last night’s assembly meeting took offense.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board has advanced a policy that would guide implementation of sexual abuse awareness training for school staff and students. As KUAC’s Dan Bross reports, a recent abuse case has added weight to the discussion.